We Belong Before We Believe

Today's message really stirred me. The main point "we belong before we believe" gave my heart a check. How many times do we get in our churched world and forget that there are people out there that don't feel they belong with us. How contrary to what Jesus demonstrated. If my world is too small to embrace those not in my Christian circle then of what purpose am I to Christ? Thank God I didn't have to get my act together before I came to Him. I think God is the ultimate "fix it" man. He loves to fix people. Why do we try and take that privilege away from others? I love it when God broadens my view and enlarges my heart for people!!!

Chandelier of GIfts

Here is a pict. from this November's Chandelier of Gifts. I had tons of fun and I think it was a great opportunity for the women of KPC to get to know one another. I love gatherings like this. Be sure to read my last post called "cool opportunity".

Cool opportunity!!!

Okay, there are two great families in our church right now that are in the process of adopting children (seriously, is there a greater cause?). Mike & Erica Kelso and Eric & Leslie Hutsler are incredible couples that have huge hearts. The Kelso's have a two yr. old child that they are in the final stages of adopting. They Hutsler's have the opportunity to adopt a biracial child in January. Both opportunities came at them very quickly but they both believe it's a God thing to have these kids!
Where do we come in? Well, adoption isn't a cheap process so both families are raising funds. The Hutsler's have a facebook page called "help us adopt" that explains in detail their situation. They need $25,000 by Jan..... pennies for our God.
If you want to get involved a great place to start would be just giving a dollar if it's all you have. What a cool Christmas present for a child to be stable in a home! WOW!!
Love you all and I know you have a heart for the kingdom just like I do!
xoxo,
Stacy

Holiday Ideas

Just a quick thought: Being that the economy is not the greatest this year instead of buying presents for family, sponsor a bike for a child, etc. in your friends or family members name. I was just thinking of how many kids will have a pretty bad Christmas this year (even my own kids will be cut back some) and if we can extend help to someone it would make a bigger difference than we can imagine!

Great Blog

I read a great blog tonight from my former senior pastor Larry Stockstill that really blessed me. I think you will find it worth your read. It will rest your worries due to our unstable economy and urge you to stand together in prayer for our nation. Please check it out on larrystockstill.com
The blog is titled: "Celebration and Concern". Tell me what you think.

I think I have a people hangover

So many women at my house last night!! It was great. I always love getting together with KPC Women, lots of fun and good food. Tired this morning. I checked the kids in around 9:30.... they loved it! Last night we had a live violinist at my home. He did a fantastic job playing Christmas music. He played for almost 2 hrs. without stop!! It was awesome. At one point I thought I was on the sinking Titanic due to all the chaos and the playing violin!! I heard someone else say the same thing. He must have thought we were all a group of crazy women. With all the excitement and yummy smells last night I'm ready for the holidays. Thanks to everyone who made last night successful and special props to Jennifer Yeager, she's awesome!!

Casey's coming home today from being in Victoria, Texas. Ready to see him!! He's a pretty cool guy, I think I'll keep him.

Chandelier of GIfts

This year we're having a first ever gathering called "Chandelier of Gifts" at my home (directions on church website, keypointchurch.com). It's going to be pretty cool. We will have a live violinist, great food and a chance to get a head start on your Christmas shopping with the items for sale. You don't have to buy to come, just come and hang out. It will be a great chance to get to know other ladies. Invite your friends and I will see you tomorrow night (Tues.) at 6:30.
XOXO,
Stacy

Bears for Africa

Today I took the kids to the church to stuff bears for kids in Africa. I saw lots of kids there, great turnout. Pastor Sarah Brown and her crew did a fantastic job. The kids had fun and the bears looked great. I love the idea of getting our kids thinking outside of their small world. They may never get to meet the kids in Africa that receive the bears, but I am certain that some of them will meet in Heaven. What an awesome opportunity to teach them an eternal perspective!

My day is ending by watching a nail bitter of a football game with LSU v/s Alabama. Big rival. I wish it would just end so my heart would quit palpatating (and my husband would quit yelling)!

HOPE

I just listened to Brooke Fraser's song "Albertine" on youtube. What an amazing song! When I was in London this May for the Hillsong Women's Conference she led worship and I experienced her music for the first time. I love "Albertine" because it articulates so beautifully the deep passions within me. I just can't listen to it without getting stirred. I definitely don't have a lack of vision problem. I have a I want to save the world NOW problem!! Sound familiar? So much compassion but we don't know how or where to implement it. It seems like our world is on such a slippery slope in the wrong direction, and there is SO much need that it's almost overwhelming to think how we can even begin to make a difference. I am convinced that we will change this world one life at a time. For the grandmother, working woman, house wife , college student and teenager.... change your world one person at a time. Who's life can you serve today? How can you touch the people around you that need hope? Once they experience Jesus they will extend the same hope to others. This world needs hope.... hope's name is Jesus. That's how we change a world, we offer HOPE.

*Check out the KPC Women's Retreat post. I added a great photo of most of the women at the retreat. You might be in there!!

Weekend is finally over!

Oh I have to say that I am glad this weekend is finally over! I absolutely loved bringing God's word this morning but I have to tell you it can be stressful. I don't know how Casey does it every weekend, with something new and fresh. It was an honor for me to speak to the great people of KPC. I felt humbled looking at the audience and seeing the amazing faces, but like I said God loves using "idiots" :) so he must have had a blast this morning!! PC gets back tomorrow night and I can't wait to hear what's he's brought back in his heart from Aussie. I love for God to stretch my vision and I LOVED seeing my two oldest kids sitting on the front row listening to mom and smiling at me the whole time!! That will boost your confidence!
By the way... band you rocked this morning. Way to go!

Stacy

He'll Equip You!

Cool word this morning:
Ezekiel 3:9
Stick with me here......The Israelites were rebelling against God with unyielding and hard hearts. God needed a man to be His voice of warning so He sends Ezekiel. God knew the Israelites were tough and hard so he tells Ezekiel this: (I love it!!) "I will make you as unyielding and hardened as they are. I will make your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint." God EQUIPPED Ezekiel! He knew how bold and determined Ezekiel was going to have to be. God knew this was a tough assignment and perhaps Ezekiel wasn't even tough by nature, so God supernaturally makes him tough! Cool!!! That leads me to believe that whatever endeavor God leads me on, even if I naturally can't do it...... He'll equip me. He'll make us be what He needs us to be! Wow.... why do I fear and doubt?!?

On a lighter note: Casey called me from Aussie Friday morning at 7 am. It was Friday night there around 11 pm. He was about to go to sleep. I went about my day and around 4 pm he calls me and says "Good morning it's Saturday." He had just woken up!!!! All in my one day. Too crazy!! How does our body ever get used to this? Can't wait to see that good lookin' fine piece of man!! Think I miss him? :)
Don't forget daylight savings time this weekend.
See ya!